NTSB Reveals Why Atlas Air 767 Cargo Jet Plunged Into Trinity Bay
Key Points
- 1The NTSB cited the first officer's inappropriate response to an inadvertent go-around mode activation as the probable cause.
- 2The crash of the Atlas Air Boeing 767-300BCF in 2019 killed all three crew members in Trinity Bay, Texas.
- 3The final report called for a robust pilot records database to address systemic hiring deficiencies and concealed performance issues.
- 4Six new safety recommendations were issued to the FAA, focusing on improved pilot training and performance assessment.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the fatal Atlas Air Flight 3591 crash. The accident involved a Boeing 767-300BCF cargo jet. It occurred on February 23, 2019, near Houston, Texas. The aircraft was operating a scheduled cargo flight for Amazon Prime Air. The NTSB determined the probable cause was pilot error and a lack of crew coordination. The crash tragically resulted in the deaths of all three crew members aboard.
Probable Cause and Sequence of Events
The investigation found the primary cause was the first officer's inappropriate control response. This occurred after an inadvertent go-around mode activation. The activation happened while the aircraft was descending through 6,300 feet. The unexpected acceleration led to the first officer experiencing spatial disorientation. This illusion caused him to believe the aircraft was stalling. He then made excessive nose-down control inputs. These actions overrode the autopilot system. The crew did not recover the Boeing 767 freighter from the steep dive. The entire uncontrolled descent lasted only 32 seconds.
Contributing factors included the captain's failure to adequately monitor the flightpath. He also failed to assume positive control of the aircraft. This delayed any effective intervention. The NTSB also highlighted systemic deficiencies in the industry.
Systemic Failures and Recommendations
The NTSB report stressed that industry-wide issues played a critical role. The first officer had a history of performance deficiencies. He had deliberately concealed this information from Atlas Air. The NTSB concluded that the aviation industry's pilot selection process was insufficient. It failed to identify the first officer's aptitude-related problems.
As a result, the NTSB issued several pilot training recommendations to the FAA. The most significant recommendation calls for establishing a robust pilot records database. This database must include all necessary background information. It would allow air carriers to fully evaluate a pilot's competency and proficiency. The goal is to prevent pilots with known performance issues from being hired.
- The NTSB issued six new safety recommendations to the FAA.
- Recommendations address flight crew performance and hiring deficiencies.
- They also cover adaptations of automatic ground collision avoidance technology.
Industry Impact and Safety Focus
This final report provides critical lessons for commercial aviation safety. It emphasizes the need for better pilot monitoring and intervention training. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other global bodies often stress these areas. The industry must improve its ability to detect and manage pilot stress response. Furthermore, the report underscores the importance of transparent pilot employment records. The new recommendations aim to strengthen the hiring pipeline. This ensures that all flight crews meet the highest safety standards. For more details on this and other aviation news, visit the commercial aviation news section at flying.flights.
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Ujjwal SukhwaniAviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
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